Page 7 of The Mountain Man Bidder

I swallow against the tightness in my throat, my hand finding hers beneath the covers. “It’s early, sweetheart. Go back to sleep.”

“Mmm.”

And just before I close my own eyes again to drift back to sleep, I whisper the three little words I never thought I’d say to anyone, let alonemean.“I love you.”

Chapter 7

Stella

Everything feels different. Mybody, my heart, even the way the morning light spills into the cabin—it’s all changed. I stretch under the covers, my skin still humming with the memory of last night. Pete sleeps soundly beside me, his arm draped over my waist, warm and steady.

I turn my head to look at him, taking in the quiet rise and fall of his chest, the way his dark lashes rest against his rugged cheekbones. He’s beautiful in a way I don’t think he realizes, in a way that makes me ache with how much I love him.

Love.

The realization crashes over me, leaving me breathless. I love him. I love Pete Callahan with everything I am.

And I would give up anything to be with him. If he asked me to leave my job, to move up here permanently, I would. The thought of leaving the library, the life I’ve built, stings, but it’s nothing compared to the idea of not being with him.

But Pete would never ask that of me. I know that, deep down. He’d never take away something I love. Still, the worry lingers. Can I be enough for him here, in this quiet world he’s built? Can I fit into his solitude without pulling him too far out of it?

He shifts beside me, murmuring my name in his sleep, and the warmth in my chest expands. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together.

For now, I press a soft kiss to his shoulder and close my eyes, savoring the feeling of being exactly where I belong.

Chapter 8

Pete

The air is coolbut not cold, the kind of crisp mountain breeze that carries the scent of pine and fresh earth. Stella’s hand is warm in mine as we climb the final stretch of the trail, the packed dirt giving way to smooth rock beneath our boots. She doesn’t know what’s waiting for her at the top, doesn’t know that my heart has been hammering against my ribs all morning in anticipation. She thinks we’re just revisiting the spot of our first date, as we have so many times since then.

We step onto the overlook, and the world opens up in front of us. Rolling hills stretch into the horizon, the valley below painted in hues of green and gold, touched by the early evening light. Ihear her intake of breath, that little gasp of wonder she always makes when she sees something beautiful.

“Pete,” she murmurs, squeezing my hand. “It’s always breathtaking, no matter how many times I see it.”

I let go just long enough to turn her toward me. The spot is perfect. A plaid blanket is spread out near the ledge, a lantern flickering softly beside it, a thermos of her favorite tea waiting. Simple. Quiet.Us.

Her gaze flickers to the setup, and a slow smile spreads across her lips. “Recreating our first date again?”

I nod, swallowing against the tightness in my throat. “Maybe.”

She moves closer, wrapping her arms around me. “It’s perfect.”

I take a steadying breath. It’s time.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the small, worn box I’ve been carrying for weeks now, waiting for the right moment. I bought it the day after we first made love, but I’ve waited to give it to her, not wanting to rush things. Still, most of the town gossips will say we’ve rushed into this, since we’ve only been together a couple of months.But they’re wrong. True love doesn’t have to develop slowly. Sometimes, a person can just know, with everything in him, in the blink of an eye.

Dropping to one knee feels natural, like this was always the plan. Stella gasps again, her hands flying to her mouth, eyes wide and shining.

“Stella Lawson,” I say, my voice rough but certain. “I never thought I’d want to come down from this mountain, or want more than the quiet life I built for myself. But then there was you.”

Her breath hitches, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

“I love you. And that means I’ll have to spend more time in town, with people, with noise.” I let out a short chuckle. “But I’m still a recluse at heart. So, I was thinking. . . maybe weget married right here. Just us, the mountains, and our closest friends. No crowds. No fuss. Just you and me. But I’m getting ahead of myself. . .” I take a deep breath to steady my nerves. “Stella, will you marry me?”

A tear slips down her cheek, but her smile is radiant. “Are you serious?”

I pop the box open, revealing the simple but elegant ring nestled inside. “Dead serious.”

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